Bermuda continues to pay out for a minimum revenue guarantee this year, although the sum has fallen significantly since 2020.

Wayne Furbert, the Minister of Transport, told the House of Assembly that Skyport had been paid $56,022 so far this financial year under the guarantee despite increased airlift to and from the island.

“These payments were not merely transactions to uphold an agreement,” Mr Furbert said. “They played a crucial role in ensuring that Bermuda remained viable, sustainable, and accessible to the global community.

“The funds provided a foundation for the island's continued prosperity, enabling its economic stability and growth.

“Furthermore, sustaining international connections and ensuring Bermuda as a thriving hub that is not only resilient but also open and welcoming to the global community was essential and likewise, ensuring our people the same.”

Mr Furbert noted that during the peak of the pandemic the Government was required to pay about $21 million because of plummeting travel numbers.

However, as airlift bounced back, the figure fell to $16 million in 2021-22, $9.4 million in 2022-23 and $351,526 in the last financial year.

He told the House that airlift has continued to grow year-on-year, stating: “At the end of October 2024, the airlift capacity was 466,350, which exceeded the total seat capacity for 2023 by 8 per cent.

“The year-to-date to October 2024 versus the previous period in 2023 was 466,350 seats verses 370,789 seats, a 26 per cent increase.”

Mr Furbert highlighted that BermudAir had “announced plans to expand to three additional markets in Montreal, Quebec, Hamilton, Ontario and Norfolk, Virginia”.

The airline has announced an expansion including three new routes to launch in April, including Charleston, Raleigh-Durham and Connecticut.

A spokeswoman for the ministry clarified that BermudAir has received approval under civil aviation licence exemption order to provide services to the three destinations mentioned in the ministerial statement, but those services have not been launched.

“The minister is not announcing the commencement of the services but rather outlining there is a plan,” she said.

“BermudAir will make an official announcement and proceed with the launch when they determine the timing is appropriate.”

Mr Furbert also announced that the American Airlines seasonal service between the island and Washington will return in 2025.

However, he said the service will not start until June — two months later than this year.

Mr Furbert added that the airline had made “seasonal adjustments” to its service to Miami and Charlotte for January and February.

The January flight schedule shows the Miami flight halting on January 6 and the service between Bermuda and Charlotte dropping from seven days a week to five on the same day.

Mr Furbert also noted the return of year-round JetBlue service between Bermuda and Boston, which resumed in 2023, and the return of United Airlines service between Bermuda and Newark earlier this year.

He told the House that he had met with British Airways officials in October to discuss strengthening airlift, along with Delta Air Lines and Air Canada in 2023.

Questioned by the One Bermuda Alliance’s Scott Pearman about how the ministry could get closer to the 611,000 flight capacity recorded in 2018, Mr Furbert said discussions were ongoing but boosting the island’s hotel inventory would help.

“Once Southampton Princess comes on board, once other hotels come on board, we will see more need and demand for airlift,” he said.

Mr Furbert also confirmed that as part of discussions with British Airways, the issue of passengers being taken by bus between the aircraft and the gate at Heathrow had been raised.